Democrats step around elephant in the room

By Christi Parsons | Washington Bureau

May 12, 2008

WASHINGTON—Breaking up is hard to do, especially when the other person doesn't want to say goodbye.

One way to go is the torturously deferential one, which is the route of choice for some of those leading Democrats who think the race for the presidential nomination is pretty much over for Hillary Clinton.

Take this lengthy comment Sunday from John Edwards, about Clinton's decision to remain in the race:

"I think the one thing that she has to be careful about—and she doesn't need my advice, she knows this full well—is that, if she makes the case for herself, which she's completely entitled to do, she has to be really careful that she's not damaging our prospects, the Democratic Party, and our cause, for the fall," Edwards said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Indeed, even those who think Barack Obama has the nomination sewn up are avoiding suggesting Clinton should drop out of the race.

Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut refused to do it in his appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," even after he was asked about his recent suggestion that Clinton's continued campaign toward this Tuesday's West Virginia primary was like asking people "to vote against somebody who's likely to be your nominee a few weeks later."

Meanwhile, as Obama was taking a day off, Clinton was campaigning full-bore in West Virginia. And her friends were arguing that she still has a chance.

"If Barack Obama wants Hillary Clinton out of this race, beat her," Clinton aide Howard Wolfson said on "Fox News Sunday." "Beat her in West Virginia, beat her in Puerto Rico, beat her in Kentucky."

Clinton is heavily favored to win in those places, and Wolfson seemed to suggest the end is nowhere in sight.

cparsons@tribune.com